PORTAGE COUNTY, OH (WOIO) - The Portage Animal Protective League helped the County Dog Warden save a starving dog on Tuesday afternoon.

The Dog Warden's office said they had picked up a stray dog that was so thin, he was near death.

The APL staff hurried to see the dog and when they arrived, they were horrified. A Boxer/ Mastiff mix was huddled in a cage with blankets the Warden's staff had given him to keep warm. He was so thin and emaciated that he couldn't stand or walk on his own. And his body temperature was 92 degrees (normal temperature is 101-102 degrees). He was hypothermic and every bone in his body was showing. At this temperature, he was close to death.

"We didn't know if he would make it, but we knew we had to try. We knew the only way, was to rush him to a veterinarian for immediate care," said Chalan Lowry, Executive Director. "When I saw him, I couldn't believe it. He could hardly hold his head up."

At the veterinarian, examination made the severity of his situation clearer. He weighed 47 pounds, but should weigh about 90. The dog was so hungry, he had been eating mulch and rocks to survive and was so dehydrated that he couldn't go to the bathroom.

"He's not out of the woods yet and will have a long recovery once he is able to leave the hospital. Who knows what long term damage has been done. But we know that he will have every chance possible to have a wonderful life from now on," Chalan says. "Because of his sad state and stature, the veterinarian named him Eeyore. He will need a lot of help and we know the community will help us save his life."

The APL continues to rescue animals every day and the need continues to increase each year. Portage APL is a private, nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity and kindness of individuals and businesses to help thousands of animals who have no voice.